Jellystone Park Texas (Accommodation + Activities)

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We all need an escape from the hustle and bustle of our busy lives. When you’re tired of sitting in traffic or mulling through the busy streets of your city, fleeing to nature is a perfect remedy. But, if you’re someone with limited experience in the camping and outdoors world, it can be tough to know where to start. 

Enter Jellystone Park Texas. Officially known as Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts, these sites are part of a nationwide franchise. Each family-friendly camp is packed full of amenities and allows you to enjoy the outdoors without the need for experience and equipment. 

Jellystone Park - Texas View

Jellystone Park Texas: What You Need To Know

The first Jellystone Park was established over 50 years ago in 1969 in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin (which still remains today). From the get-go, the concept was family-friendly. In fact, the name came from the Vice President overhearing his kids watching the Yogi Bear cartoon. 

Over the years, several more campsites were built in the United States and Canada. Today, there are more than 80 in operation. They’re extremely popular among adults and families alike, mainly due to the combination of nature, extensive amenities, and the range of accommodation options. 

While the parks are open to everyone, they’re particularly appealing to families. Each site has a number of outdoor play areas, swimming pools, water slides, rides, and themed events. Camp staff are involved in daily activities, making it easy to enjoy an authentic camp experience. 

If you like what you’ve read so far, you’re probably wondering how many Jellystone Parks are in Texas. In the Lone Star State, you can choose from five different campsites.

And, although the specific amenities, activities, and accommodation options depend on the location, most offer similar packages. 

Accommodation Options

Jellystone Park caters to a wide range of visitors, whether you’re flying solo or arriving with a large group. Another advantage of staying in one of the campsites is that they’re budget-friendly. You can choose between luxury glamping, economic camping, or something in between. 

Regardless of which lodging you go for, each one is set up for you to enjoy a seamless camping experience. However, it’s important to note that each accommodation option is designed for different clientele. So, to make your choice easier, we’ve broken down the available accommodations. 

Jellystone Park Texas Cabins & Yurts

The cabins and yurts are among the most popular accommodation options in all Jellystone Parks. They’re the biggest and most comfortable places to stay meaning they’re well-suited to families and large groups. You can choose between luxury cabins or more rustic facilities. 

The deluxe cabins are like mini wooden cottages and have everything you need for a long-term stay. These are generally the best option for families. Cabins are cozy and comfortable, containing many convenient appliances that you’d find in your home, such as:

  • Sofas and comfortable seating
  • Fully equipped bathrooms and showers
  • Kitchenettes and cooking appliances
  • Heating and cooling systems
  • TVs
  • Lighting
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Private fire pit

If you’re after a more rudimentary stay with an off the grid in design, you should consider a rustic cabin. These lodgings are typically smaller than the deluxe cabins with just one or two bedrooms. While they don’t have TVs or modern appliances, they’re equipped with all the necessities plus outdoor equipment.

Perhaps our favorite of the Jellystone Park accommodations is the yurt. If you’re scratching your head upon reading this peculiar name, let us enlighten you. A yurt is a circular, tent-like structure draped in thick and durable weather-resistant material. It originates from central Asia. 

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Much like the cabins, the Jellystone yurts are fitted with comfortable furniture, heating and cooling equipment, and bathrooms. Some Jellystone locations also offer glamping tents, treehouses, and tipis.

So, if you want a more immersive experience, the options are there. 

Family vacation travel RV - Texas View

Jellystone Park Texas Camping: RVs & Tents

If you’re a seasoned camper and jump at any excuse to take a trip, Jellystone Parks have plenty of room for RVs and tents. Book ahead to guarantee a place and set up your gear in one of the spacious campgrounds. The RV camps are generally quite busy so you can mingle and make friends during your stay. 

Jellystone Parks are known for maintaining high standards. They’re equipped with everything you and your RV need, including water and electricity hookups, private fire pits for each RV, and picnic tables for outdoor meals. To boot, the sites are easy to access for all vehicles. 

If you’re after a traditional camping trip with tents and sleeping bags, you’ll also find dedicated areas within the campsites for that. Again, you’ll have access to bathrooms and water as well as individual fire pits and picnic tables. There are convenience stores on site where you can pick up the essentials. 

Jellystone Park Texas RV Rentals

Let’s face it, most of us don’t have the luxury of dusting off our RV every summer and taking road trips into the wilderness. But that doesn’t mean you can’t have that type of experience. Jellystone Park offers RV rental options to visitors at select locations. 

The easiest way to get your hands on an RV for your Jellystone trip is to use the park’s commercial partner, RVshare. This is a peer-to-peer rental service that makes it easy to rent a vehicle from a private owner or dealership. With Rvshare, you can filter your search to find an RV that fits your needs and budget. 

An added bonus with this system is the guaranteed payment system. Furthermore, using this program means you get a 24-hour travel concierge plus roadside assistance. You and your family can enjoy peace of mind on the road that if anything goes wrong, help is just a phone call away. 

Some Jellystone Park sites also offer RV rentals at the campground for a nightly rate. However, these RVs are not mobile and you can’t take them away from the grounds.

Rather, you just get the camping experience in a static RV. All of the on-site RVs are well-maintained and fully equipped, just like the rest of the accommodations.

Couple having fun on campsite - Texas View

Convenience Stores

As we mentioned earlier, all Jellystone Parks have convenience stores on site. This takes the pressure off massively when traveling with kids as you know you can pick up whatever you need on-site. The stores sell food, drinks, propane, firewood, and other camping supplies. 

Your kids will also love the convenience stores as they can choose from a host of cool souvenirs like plush toys, clothing, magnets, keychains, mugs, bags, and more. Of course, these souvenirs come with the Yogi Bear branding and imagery. Just be careful as there are a lot of items for your kids to fall in love with.

Although a lot of guests like to totally unplug on their camping trip, Jelly Park campsites offer Wi-Fi for guests. On most sites, it’s free of charge but some campgrounds charge a fee. Either way, you won’t be without internet access should you need it. 

If you’re traveling with a family, you’ll be glad to learn that Jellystone Park camps have “Suds Stations”. Essentially, these are coin-operated laundry machines, allowing you to wash and dry your clothes at your convenience. All parks also have comfort stations with showers, toilets, and hot water.

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While you can immerse yourself in nature at Jellystone Parks, they also offer a host of convenient amenities.

You can have the outdoor escape that you’re craving while knowing that quality facilities are available if you want or need to use them. 

Park Attractions

Most of the Jellystone Park attractions are geared toward kids. The reality of a camping trip with young kids is that you may not be able to explore the wilderness all day or go on long hikes. So, you can compromise with a sprinkling of adventure and outdoor fun alongside park attractions. 

There are tons of options for having good old-fashioned fun in the fresh air. You have water attractions and some of the dryer varieties. And, if you find yourself at the park when the weather is bad, there are several indoor spaces where your kids can play and make friends to their hearts’ content. 

Happy Kids Having Fun in the Pool - Texas View

Water Attractions 

Virtually every child loves playing in a swimming pool. All Jellystone Parks have at least one quality swimming pool on site which inevitably becomes the place to be during the high season. Camp employees host games like Marco Polo and cannonball competitions.

Some pools also have water slides, offering another fun element to the swimming pool. The signature Splashgrounds are essentially water play zones where kids can shoot water pistols, enjoy the mushroom showers, and escape the water-dumping buckets that hang around the area.

Some Jellystone locations have aqua parks with water slides and other fun attractions like floating obstacle courses, jungle gyms, and various other floating, bouncy activities. There’s virtually no end to the enjoyment you and your kids can have at the aqua parks.

Depending on the specific park you stay at, you may also be close to a river, lake, or beach. At select locations, you can partake in kayaking, paddle boating, and tubing. Or, if there’s a beach there, spend the day soaking in the rays, dipping your toes in the sand, and swimming. 

For many people, no camping trip is complete without spending at least one-day fishing. If this sounds like you, be sure to pack your fishing rod and equipment. Surrounded by nature, you’ll have several great fishing spots to use, from mountain streams to lakes. 

Outdoor Attractions 

Activities at Jellystone Park are not limited to the water and swimming pools. There are plenty of other outdoor attractions too. Moreover, the range of activities taking place daily means there’s something for everyone, regardless of your interests. 

Virtually all camps have mini golf courses and playgrounds. Some locations even have several. You can also find jump pads, which are essentially inflatable play areas that provide hours of entertainment for kids. Wagon rides are also popular activities, taking kids around the park to see the sights and sing songs.

Families can also rent pedal carts which are an excellent way to get some sunshine and explore the park. Each person gets an individual cart so your kids will enjoy a little freedom, albeit under your supervision. Once you’ve reached your limit, grab some snacks, chairs, and blankets, and enjoy a movie in an outdoor theater.

Some locations offer laser tag in the outdoors. There are courses among the trees, creating the perfect setting for games.

In addition to these novel amenities, there are also team sports available daily, including basketball, volleyball, and other popular team-based games. 

Two little girls play video games - Texas View

Indoor Attractions

You can never rely on good weather every day of the year. But rest assured, there are still plenty of things to do in Jellystone Park when outdoor activities are limited. The parks are designed for entertainment year round come rain, wind, or shine.

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When the outdoor theaters are off limits, don’t worry, the parks also have indoor cinemas, showing movies and cartoons. If the rain hits in showers, you can take shelter in one of the pavilions until it dries up. Or, you can take friends and family there and hang out for a few hours.

All locations have recreation rooms and game rooms where adults and kids can partake in arts and crafts, live music concerts, karaoke, shows, and arcade games among other things. To boot, you can even win prizes by playing some games.

Other Park Activities

As well as the big amenities and main attractions, there are entertaining activities that are standard at all Jellystone Parks. The Yogi Bear really resonates while you’re there and he is ever present at the grounds, alongside other characters like Boo Boo, Ranger Smith, and Cindy Bear. 

Although Jellystone Park is no regular campsite, it still offers traditional camp activities like flag raising, hikes, and outdoor cooking. Kids can take part in daily activities with camp employees, helping them learn outdoor skills in a safe and fun environment. 

Some Jellystone sites are located near National Parks or natural wonders and there are generally guides available at these locations. Depending on your location, you may also be able to bird-watch, take group hikes, or try your hand at geocaching.

At night, there is usually some form of entertainment, from interactive shows for kids to live music for all the family.

If you’re after something more peaceful, sit back, relax, and gaze at the stars. 

Jellystone Park Texas Locations

Jellystone Parks are nationwide so a quick “Jellystone park near me” Google search will take you to the closest locations. However, to find the best Jellystone park in Texas, it’s better to expand your search. In total, there are five parks in the state, with each offering something a little different.

All five sites are worth a visit and offer the same authentic experiences at their core. But naturally, the surroundings and amenities are dependent on the region. So, if there is something you want to do there specifically, do a little research ahead of the trip and make sure you head for the right location. 

Here are the five Jellystone Park Texas campgrounds: 

  1. North Texas Jellystone Park
  2. Burleson-South Fort Worth Jellystone Park
  3. Fredericksburg (Texas Wine Country) Jellystone Park
  4. Waller Jellystone Park
  5. Tyler Texas Jellystone Park

References

Author Profile

Christian Linden is a seasoned writer and contributor at Texas View, specializing in topics that resonate with the Texan community. With over a decade of experience in journalism, Christian brings a wealth of knowledge in local politics, culture, and lifestyle. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Communications from the University of Texas. When he's not writing, Christian enjoys spending weekends traveling across Texas with his family, exploring everything from bustling cities to serene landscapes.

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